Apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A form-fill-seal packaging machine includes a tank ( 20 ) for storing fluid product to be dosed, nozzles ( 26 ) for receiving the product from the tank ( 20 ) and for dosing it, and a conveyor ( 22 ) for moving along a conveying path ( 30 ) that includes a position under each nozzle ( 26 ). An adjustable tubular connection ( 43 ) is located in the fluid flow path between the tank ( 20 ) and each nozzle ( 26 ) and conveys product from the tank ( 20 ) to the nozzle ( 26 ). The connection ( 43 ) has an inlet end portion with a vertical axis and has an outlet end portion with a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the inlet end portion that is movable such that the axis of the outlet end portion of the connection ( 43 ) remains parallel with the axis of the inlet end portion throughout its range of movement.

This invention relates to apparatus and a method.

In a known aseptic form-fill-seal packaging machine, used in a dairy or juice plant, fluid product to be packaged is stored in a tank spaced above a chain conveyor comprising two endless, parallel chains each with a driving sprocket and an idling sprocket having vertical axes, the chains bounding pockets for receiving respective bottom-sealed carton sleeves. The tank discharges the fluid product, through pumps, into filler nozzles. Between the pumps and the filler nozzles are rigid, stainless steel, filler tubes. The chain conveyor carries the bottom-sealed carton sleeves to be filled to respective locations underneath the filler nozzles. The cartons are indexed under the nozzles, filled and then moved down the line as the chain conveyor advances. Cartons may be lifted for filling and then lowered prior to moving down the line in certain applications or may be filled and moved without lifting.

Over time, the conveyor chains might stretch, so that the nozzles would need to be slightly repositioned along the path of the chain conveyor in order to align with cartons in their standstill positions. As a result, when the nozzles are moved, the pumps and the tank must also be moved, which is a cumbersome and undesirable operation. It is not possible to use a flexible corrugated filler tube between the tank and the pumps; such a tube would present an inner surface having ridges and crevices that could undesirably collect product, becoming difficult to clean. That inner surface would also impede smooth product flow, possibly agitating the fluid and creating bubbles in the otherwise liquid product. Further, in a form-fill-seal packaging machine, there may be limited space available for this connection, and a flexible tube could undesirably bend or kink.

A known aseptic pipe connection from Linnemann GmbH of Heerweg, Germany, includes pieces for securing two adjacent pipe ends in an aseptic, fluid-tight manner. In this known connection, a liner is located (for example by welding) on one pipe end and an externally threaded ferrule is located (for example by welding) on the other pipe end. During assembly, an O-ring is positioned in an end face of an end flange of the liner. The ferrule is positioned adjacent the liner so that the two pieces interengage (the liner fits within a rim on an end face of the ferrule). Then a nut is moved over the liner and screwed onto the ferrule until the two pieces engage tightly. The O-ring effects a seal between the liner and the ferrule and, thereby, between the two pipe ends. The pipes and fittings in this known pipe connection are straight and are not designed to be adjustable.

U.S. Pat. No. 760,015 discloses a storehouse conveyor for grain to distribute by gravity the stored grain from a garner-floor of a storehouse to various bins below and deploy the discharging end of the distributor within circles in the bays of the storehouse and from any point in the radius of a circle from its receiving end to support and adjust the separate portions of the distributor in position. A large hopper in the garner floor delivers the grain to a smaller hopper whence extend a series of three jointed tubes each of which has a long, intermediate section inclined to the vertical and two short, vertical, end sections. The upper end sections of the lowermost, intermediate and uppermost tubes are joined respectively to the lower end sections of the intermediate and uppermost tubes and to the bottom of the smaller hopper by flange and half-shell connections which allow the tubes to be rotated about vertical axes relative to each other and allow the uppermost tube to be rotated about a vertical axis relative to the smaller hopper.

US-A-2004/0,037,657 discloses a particulate material conveying apparatus comprising an upper conduit having a material receiving inlet; a first intermediate conduit communicating with the upper conduit and swivelable relative to the upper conduit about a first horizontal axis; a second intermediate conduit communicating with the first intermediate conduit and swivelable relative to the first intermediate conduit about a second horizontal axis parallel to the first axis; a lower conduit having a material discharge outlet, communicating with the second intermediate conduit and swivelable relative to the second intermediate conduit about a third horizontal axis parallel to the second axis; and a chain-and-sprockets mechanism for translating the angular displacement of the second intermediate conduit relative to the first intermediate conduit about the second axis to angular displacement of the first intermediate conduit relative to the upper conduit about the first axis.

JP-A-51020114 discloses a joint for eccentric connection of pipes and consisting of two short tubular stubs each having one end eccentric relative to its other end. Each end is externally flanged and each flange is bored at regular intervals therearound for nut-and-bolt connectors. The two subs are thereby connected end-to-end with the interposition of an annular seal spaced inwardly from the inner peripheries of the adjacent stub ends. The nut-and-bolt connectors at the other stub ends, which are inwardly beveled, are used to clamp the flanges at those ends to flanges on the respective pipes and to urge the inwardly beveled ends against annular seals encircling the pipes, whereby the joint can be employed throughout a range of spacing between the pipe ends. JP-A-51128717 discloses a similar joint, but certain of the bores at the junction between the two stubs are replaced by arcuate slots to provide improved adjustability of the stubs peripherally relative to one another.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising an operational device, a support, a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on said support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and a conveyor for advancing along a conveying path, said device being substantially infinitely adjustable along said path relative to said support by turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support about substantially vertical axes.

According to second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising the steps of providing an operational device at a location along a conveying path, providing a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on a support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and adjusting the position of said device along said path with turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support.

Owing to the invention, dimensional changes in the longitudinal direction of the conveying path can readily be coped with relatively exactly.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is a dosing machine including an input device for flowable material, an output device for the material and an adjustable tubular connection intercommunicating the input device and the output device. The connection includes an adjustable section which includes a first offset connector, i.e. a first conduit, communicating with the input device for selective, substantial horizontal, swiveling movement relative to the input device, and a second offset connector, i.e. a second conduit, communicating with the first offset connector for selective, substantially horizontal, swiveling movement relative to the first offset connector. The second offset connector communicates with the output device for selective, substantially horizontal, swiveling movement relative to the output device. The dosing machine further includes a tank for storing the flowable material to be dosed, a nozzle for receiving the material from the tank and for dosing it, and a conveyor for moving along a path that includes a position under the nozzle. The adjustable tubular connection is located between the tank and the nozzle and serves to convey the material from the tank to the nozzle.

In order that the invention may be clearly and complete disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of portions of a form-fill-seal packaging machine;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged schematic illustration of a portion of the packaging machine of FIG. 1, with parts shown in a first position;

FIG. 2B is an illustration similar to FIG. 2A, but showing the parts in a second position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable tubular connection that forms part of the packaging machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an assembled sectional view of the connection of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the connection of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are graphic illustrations showing adjustability of the connection of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a double-indexing form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 that therefore includes two filler tubes 12. The machine 10 includes a tank 20 for holding fluent material to be dispensed into cartons 28, two at a time. The tank 20 is disposed above a chain conveyor 22. The tank 20 discharges through two dosing pumps 24 into two filler nozzles 26 located in an aseptic chamber 29. The chain conveyor 22 carries cartons 28 to be filled to locations underneath the filler nozzles 26, whence they are raised in pairs into a nozzle box 25 by lifter pairs 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartons 28 are lifted, filled and lowered, then moved down the line, along a linear path 30. However, in an alternate embodiment, not illustrated, the cartons are filled and moved down the line without the steps of lifting or lowering. The invention is applicable to single nozzle dispensing as well as to the plural nozzle dispensing illustrated. It is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use in one or two nozzle applications, but is useful and works with any number of nozzles useful or required in a particular application.

For each nozzle 26, the tank 20 has an associated tank outlet tube 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for directing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet tube 40 (FIG. 3) has at its lower (outlet) end an external flange 41 carrying an annular liner 42. A nut 44 is captured by the flange 41 on the tank outlet tube 40.

The pump 24 has a pump inlet tube 50 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for receiving fluid into the pump. The pump inlet tube 50 (FIG. 3) has at its upper (inlet) end an externally threaded ferrule 52. An annular seal 54 is received in the ferrule 52. The seal 54 may be an O-ring, for example.

An adjustable tubular connection 43 (FIGS. 2 and 3) suitable for aseptic filling of the cartons 28 is located between each tank outlet tube 40 and the associated pump inlet tube 50. The connection 43 includes one or more adjustable connectors. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection 43 (FIG. 3) includes two adjustable connectors, namely an upper connector 60 and a lower connector 80. In other embodiments, fewer than two or more than two adjustable connectors could be used.

The upper connector 60 is an offset connector that includes, at its upper end, a ferrule 62; at its lower end an external flange 64 with an annular liner 63; a tubing section 66 between the ferrule 62 and the flange 64; a seal 68; and a nut 70. The tubing section 66 is integral with the ferrule 62 and the flange 64. The ferrule 62 and the flange 64 are circular, but are not co-axial. Rather, the tubing section 66 extends at an oblique angle between the ferrule 62 and the flange 64, so that the ferrule is parallel to but offset laterally (radially) from the flange.

The ferrule 62 is externally threaded, for engaging the nut 44. The nut 70 is captured on the tubing section 66, above the flange 64. The seal 68 is received in the ferrule 62 and may be an O-ring, for example.

The lower connector 80 is an offset connector that may be identical to the upper connector 60, as in the present example. Thus, the lower connector 80 includes a ferrule 82; a flange 84 and a liner 85; a tubing section 86 between the ferrule 82 and the flange 84; a seal 88; and a nut 90.

The externally threaded ferrule 82 engages the nut 70. The internally threaded nut 90 engages the ferrule 52.

When the parts of the machine 10 are assembled, the tank outlet tube 40 is joined to the upper connector 60; the upper connector is joined to the lower connector 80; and the lower connector is joined to the pump inlet tube 50.

Specifically, the flange 41 and liner 42 are inserted into the ferrule 62, with the seal 68 between the flange 41 and the ferrule 62. The nut 44 is screwed onto the ferrule 62. As a result, the tank outlet tube 40 is sealingly joined to the upper connector 60. This threaded connection may be kept loose until all the parts are assembled in their desired relative positions.

The flange 64 and the liner 63 of the upper connector 60 are inserted into the ferrule 82, with the seal 88 between the flange 64 and the ferrule 82. The nut 70 is screwed onto the ferrule 82. As a result, the upper connector 60 is sealingly joined to the lower connector 80. This threaded connection may be kept loose until all the parts are assembled in their desired relative positions.

The flange 84 and the liner 85 of the lower connector 80 are inserted into the ferrule 52, with the seal 54 between the flange 84 and the ferrule 52. The nut 90 is screwed onto the ferrule 52. As a result, the lower connector 80 is sealingly joined to the pump inlet tube 50. This threaded connection may be kept loose until all the parts are assembled in their desired relative positions.

Once the position of each pump 24 has been set relative to the tank 20, the various threaded joints of the connection 43 are tightened. As a result, an aseptic, fluid-tight communication is established between the tank 20 and each pump 24 and the parts providing that communication are fixed in position. The communication is particular suited to aseptic filling because each of the seals 54, 68 and 88 and its adjacent surface portions of the tube 50 and the connector 80, or of the tube 40 and the connector 60, or of the connectors 60 and 80 are such that, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the seal bounds the throughflow cross-section from the connector 80 to the tube 50, or from the tube 40 to the connector 60, or from the connector 60 to the connector 80, as the case may be, in other words the seals promote a substantially continuous, internal surface from the tube 40 to the tube 50, whereby there are substantially no crevices in which traces of the fluid can lodge and remain in spite of clean-in-place (CIP), for example.

The connection 43 effectively forms a two-bar linkage between the tank outlet tube 40 and the pump inlet tube 50, providing two degrees of freedom of movement. Because of the construction of the connection 43, each pump inlet tube 50 can be repositioned relative to the associated tank outlet tube 40, by manipulating the upper and lower connectors 60 and 80, respectively. This adjustment capability is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5-7.

In FIG. 5, the center or axis of the tank outlet tube 40 is designated with the line A-A. The center of the nut 70 is designated with the line B-B. The center, or axis, of the nut 90, which is the same as the center of the pump inlet tube 50, is designated with the line C-C.

Because the tubing section 66 of the upper connector 60 extends at an angle between the tank outlet tube 40 and the lower connector 80, the nut 70 can be swung, in a circular motion, about the axis A-A. The nut 70 moves in a plane parallel to the nut 44. Thus, the axis B-B can be swung, about the axis A-A, to any point on the imaginary circle BB (FIG. 6). The upper connector 60 effectively serves as a swivel joint between the tank outlet tube 40 and the lower connector 80. The center of the circle BB is the axis of the tank outlet tube 40, i.e., the axis A-A. The diameter of the circle BB is equal to the radial offset of the upper connector 60, as provided by the tube section 66.

Similarly, because the tubing section 86 extends at an angle between the upper connector 60 and the pump inlet tube 50, the nut 90 can be swung about the axis B-B, in a plane parallel to the nut 70 and the nut 44. As a result, the axis C-C can be swung about the axis B-B, to any point on the imaginary circle CC (FIG. 6). The diameter of the circle CC is equal to the offset of the lower connector 80, as provided by the tube section 86. Thus, the lower connector 80 effectively serves as a swivel joint between the upper connector 60 and the pump inlet tube 50.

With these two degrees of freedom provided, the axis C-C can be positioned anywhere in a circular area 100 (shaded in FIGS. 6 and 7) centered on the axis A-A, including anywhere on the circumference of the area 100. The diameter of the circle CC is equal to the sum of the radii of the circles BB and CC, and is thus equal to the sum of (1) the offset of the upper connector 60, as provided by the tube section 66, and (2) the offset of the lower connector 80, as provided by the tube section 86. Structurally, therefore, the lower end of the lower connector 80 (having the center C-C) can be positioned anywhere in that same circular area 100, relative to the tank outlet tube 40 (having the center A-A), in a plane parallel to the upper end of the upper connector 60. Thus, in operation the axes of the inlet A-A and the outlet C-C remain parallel to each other throughout the range of relative movement between the inlet and the outlet.

This degree of adjustment enables the pump inlet tube 50 to be set in a continuously variable manner along the path 30 of the conveyor 22 relative to the tank outlet tube 40. As a result, in the case of chain stretch as described above, the connection 43 enables repositioning of the filler tubes 12, the nozzle box 25, the nozzles 26 and pumps 24 along the length of the chain conveyor 22, in order to align with cartons 28 in their index positions as set by the conveyor 22. Tightening of the nuts of the connection 43 locks all of the joints and provides a secure, aseptic flow path between the tank 20 and the pump 24.

FIGS. 2A and 2B also illustrate this adjustment capability. In FIG. 2A, the filler tubes 12, the tank 20, the pumps 24, and the nozzles 26 are all centered (in a left-to-right direction as viewed in FIG. 2A) on an imaginary line 102. In FIG. 2B, the filler tubes 12, the nozzles 26 and the pumps 24 have been moved off the line 102, to accommodate repositioning of the cartons 28 due to repositioning of their index position as set by the chain conveyor 22. It is not necessary to move the tank 20, because the adjustable connections 43 accommodate the relative repositioning of the parts.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive possible improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. For example, the conveyor could be of the type that moves continuously rather than indexes. Also, the adjustable connection 43 could be used between each pump 24 and the associated nozzle 26, or elsewhere in the machine. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. Apparatus comprising an operational device, a support, a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on said support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and a conveyor for advancing along a conveying path, said device being substantially infinitely adjustable along said path relative to said support by turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support about substantially vertical axes.
 16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein one of the bars is selectively lockable in position relative to said support, the bars are selectively lockable in position relative to one another, and the other of the bars is selectively lockable in position relative to the operational device.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, and further comprising an input device at said support for flowable material, the bars of said linkage comprising first and second conduits for said flowable material, and said operational device being an output device for said flowable material.
 18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 and in the form of a dosing machine.
 19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein an annular, compressible seal is disposed between said input device and the first conduit and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said input device to said first conduit, another annular, compressible seal is disposed between said first and second conduits and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said first conduit to said second conduit, and a further annular, compressible seal is disposed between the second conduit and said output device and bounds the throughflow cross-section from said second conduit to said output device.
 20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said input device comprises a tank for storing said flowable material in the form of fluid product to be dosed, and said output device comprises a nozzle for receiving said product from the tank and for delivering doses thereof.
 21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said machine is constituted by a form-fill-seal packaging machine, said machine further comprising a pump for pumping said product out of the tank, said nozzle serving to dispense said product into containers advanced by said conveyor, said pump being substantially infinitely adjustable together with said nozzle, and said linkage being located between the tank and the pump.
 22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said first and second conduits comprises a tubing element having parallel, oblique, end portions.
 23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor and the operational device is movable linearly along said conveyor with respect to said support.
 24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the two bars are identical to each other.
 25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein one of the end portions of each of the bars is externally threaded and has associated therewith an internally threaded clamping nut.
 26. A method comprising the steps of providing an operational device at a location along a conveying path, providing a two-bar linkage one end of which is turnably mounted on a support and the other end of which is connected to said device, and adjusting the position of said device along said path with turning of the bars of said linkage relative to each other and to said support.
 27. A method as set forth in claim 26, and, both prior to and after said adjusting, passing flowable material through said bars from an input device at said support to an output device constituting said operational device.
 28. A method as set forth in claim 27, wherein said flowable material is a food product. 